Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in a match that saw Declan Rice sent-off for the first time in his career.
The Gunners – who had deadline-day signing Raheem Sterling watching from the stands – had been good value for their half-time lead when Kai Havertz continued his fine form by lobbing his side into a 38th-minute lead.
But the whole complexion of the match changed just after half-time when Rice was controversially shown a second yellow card by referee Chris Kavanagh.
Brighton defender Joel Veltman looked to take a quick free-kick only for Rice to slightly nudge the ball out of his way with his foot, resulting in the Dutchman kicking over the England midfielder.
As most of the ground awaited a booking for Veltman, Kavanagh instead showed Rice a second yellow for time-wasting and then red – for the first time in 245 Premier League games – much to the former West Ham player's amazement.
Brighton instantly piled on the press against the 10 men and it was no shock when Joao Prdro levelled the scores after David Raya had saved from Yankuba Minteh.
Havertz then saw a chance to grab a second goal saved by goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen while Seagulls substitute Yasin Ayari had an effort stopped by Raya as the game finished all square.
Both sides had started the season with two victories leaving Manchester City – who face West Ham later on Saturday – and Liverpool – who tackle Manchester United on Sunday – as the only Premier League teams left with 100 per cent records.
“We can take it both ways, we had the chances to win the game but going down to 10 men against Brighton is difficult,” Bukayo Sake, who made it three assists in three games by setting up Havertz, said after the game.
“I thought [the sending off] was a bit harsh for us. We just want some consistency. Joao Pedro booted the ball halfway across the pitch in the first half and got nothing for it and Dec got the slightest touch and was sent off.
“It is what it is, I don't want to put the whole game on the referee as we still had chances to win it.
“We can take it both ways, we had the chances to win the game but going down to 10 men against Brighton is difficult.”
“If it [bookings] happens throughout the game in a consistent way it is fine but it didn't,” added Gunners manager Mikel Arteta. It is the inconsistency.”
Saka began the game in menacing fashion by racing past Brighton left-back Jack Hinshelwood inside two minutes before he was thwarted by Bart Verbruggen from a tight angle and won a free kick from his teenage rival soon after.
Another dangerous Saka dribble ended with Ben White having a shot deflected wide by the arm of Lewis Dunk, which was deemed to be in a natural position.
Brighton lost veteran James Milner to injury after 17 minutes but eventually started to get a foothold on proceedings.
Kaoru Mitoma volleyed wide from a good position on the left but with 38 minutes on the clock they were punished for a mistake by captain Dunk.
Dunk was too hesitant in the air following Gabriel’s clearance and was remarkably nudged off the ball by Saka, who played into the path of Havertz and he coolly lobbed Verbruggen for his second goal of the season.
The half ended with referee Kavanagh handing out yellow cards to Rice and Thomas Partey, the former for hacking down Veltman.
Dunk atoned for his earlier error with a superb defence-splitting pass for Minteh, who raced away from William Saliba and got a shot off which Raya saved, but Pedro nipped in to fire home the equaliser.
It had been rearguard action from Arsenal since Rice’s red, but they almost took the lead with 16 minutes left after a lightning break.
A Gabriel clearance caused problems for Brighton with Havertz able to control the ball brilliantly before he spun away from Jan Paul van Hecke, but his low effort was saved with Verbruggen’s feet.
A full-stretched Saka also failed to finish from close range following a fine Havertz cross as the game finished level with Kavanagh’s full-time whistle greeted with boos after a fiery contest.
“In the end you are one man plus so you always want to win the game,” said Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler. “We had chances on our side but Arsenal also had two big chances.”
